17,000 conscientious objectors jailed since Korean War

By Kim Bo-eun

Some 17,000 men have served prison sentences over the past 60 years for refusing to serve the mandatory military service due to religious and political beliefs, according to multiple sources, Wednesday.

As the figure does not include the number of those who have paid fines or had their indictment suspended, so the actual number of men who have faced judicial action for rejecting the service is bound to be greater.

As of late October, 119 conscientious objectors, mostly Jehovah’s Witnesses, are undergoing trial and 743 are in prison for violating the conscription law.

The country has faced criticism from international organizations which say that Korea is violating an international human rights article that guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

International organizations, along with civic groups in the nation, have recommended the government to set up alternatives for those who refuse to serve due to their conscience, such as performing a period of social work.

Public opinion is also turning to favor alternative services for the objectors. In a survey by the Military Manpower Administration in December 2008, only 28.9 percent supported alternative measures but in a survey in November 2011, the figure stood at 43.5 percent.